Swiss contribution (cohesion and migration)
¶ Swiss contribution (cohesion and migration)
Chapter 2.10 of the dispatch (pp. 638-701) defines the legally binding mechanism for the regular Swiss contribution to the EU. At CHF 350 million per year, it is one of the politically most sensitive parts of the package.
¶ Summary
The Swiss contribution is for the first time regulated on a legally binding basis. It amounts to CHF 350 million per year, split into CHF 308 million for cohesion (reducing economic and social disparities in the EU) and CHF 42 million for migration (supporting asylum and migration measures). Contribution periods run for seven years each, synchronised with the EU financial framework.
The Cohesion Contribution Act (CCA) provides the national legal basis for implementation.
¶ Structure of the contribution
| Component | Amount/year | Share | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohesion | CHF 308 m | 88% | Reducing economic/social disparities |
| Migration | CHF 42 m | 12% | Asylum and migration measures |
| Total | CHF 350 m | 100% | - |
¶ Cohesion contribution
The cohesion contribution benefits partner states with a GNI below 90% of the EU average. These include:
- EU member states that acceded in 2004 and later (Eastern Europe, Baltic states)
- Greece and Portugal
- Parts of Southern Europe
Funds are used for concrete projects:
- Economic promotion: SME support, vocational training, innovation
- Environment and climate: renewable energies, biodiversity, circular economy
- Social security: healthcare, civil society
- Security: migration, border protection
¶ Migration contribution
The migration contribution supports EU states with:
- Reception systems for asylum seekers
- Integration of recognised refugees
- Return and reintegration
- Border management (Schengen-compliant)
¶ Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
The MoU between Switzerland and the EU governs operational details:
- Selection of partner states
- Project approval process
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Reporting to Parliament
¶ Comparison with other EFTA states
| Country | Contribution/year | GDP (bn) | Contribution/GDP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | CHF 350 m | 810 bn | 0.043% |
| Norway | approx. CHF 440 m | 490 bn | 0.090% |
| Iceland | approx. CHF 3 m | 28 bn | 0.011% |
| Liechtenstein | approx. CHF 1 m | 7 bn | 0.014% |
Switzerland pays less in absolute terms than Norway, despite having a significantly larger GDP. Relative to GDP, Switzerland's contribution is about half that of Norway.
¶ Cohesion Contribution Act (CCA)
The CCA provides the national legal basis for the Swiss contribution. It regulates:
- Framework credits and commitment credits
- Allocation criteria and priority areas
- Programme implementation (SECO and SDC)
- Parliamentary oversight
¶ Additional commitments
In addition to the regular contribution, the package provides for a one-off additional commitment of CHF 130-350 million per contribution period. These funds are earmarked for:
- Specific priority programmes
- Co-financing of EU infrastructure projects
- Emergency mechanisms in crises
¶ The Swissness principle
The contribution follows the Swissness principle: Swiss expertise and companies are to be given preferential consideration in project implementation. This strengthens:
- The transfer of Swiss know-how
- Switzerland's visibility in partner states
- Economic feedback effects for Swiss companies
¶ Key points
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total amount | CHF 350 m/year |
| Cohesion | CHF 308 m/year |
| Migration | CHF 42 m/year |
| Contribution period | 7 years (synchronised with EU MFF) |
| Legal basis | CCA (Cohesion Contribution Act) |
| Partner states | EU states <90% EU GNI |
| Comparison Norway | approx. CHF 440 m/year |
| Additional commitment | CHF 130-350 m one-off |
¶ References
- Dispatch of the Federal Council on the Switzerland-EU package, chapter 2.10 (pp. 638-701), FedGaz 2025
- CCA (Cohesion Contribution Act), draft 2025
- SECO: Swiss enlargement contribution, final report 2024
- EEA/Norway Grants: Annual Report 2024